The 18-volt drill/driver (BTC400LB) has a 1/2-inch metal locking chuck, two-speed gear box (0-350; 0-1,500 RPM), and a 24 position clutch. According to the manufacturer it weighs 3.7 pounds and is 8 inches long. It includes an LED work light and comes in a kit box with two compact lithium–ion batteries, a charger, and some driver tips. It has onboard bit storage but not a belt hook. The MSRP is $150 (Sorry SB&D – I round to the nearest dollar) – but it will probably retail for less. To put this into perspective, DeWalt’s compact drill/driver (DCD780C2; 1/2-inch chuck; 0-600/0-1,500 RPM; 3.4 pounds; 7.5 inches long) sells online for about $170. The difference in price between these comparable (but not the same) tools is likely to be greater than $20 because I’m comparing MSRP to online pricing.

The 18-volt impact driver (BTC440LB) has a 1/4-inch hex chuck and can deliver 0-3,100 impacts per minute at 0-2,800 RPM. According to the manufacturer it weighs 3.4 pounds and is 6 3/4 inches long. It has an LED work light and comes in a kit box with one compact lithium-ion battery, charter, bit, and bit tip storage. The MSRP is $100. The impact driver can also be purchased with a drill/driver in a combo kit that includes a case two compact batteries, a charger, some bits, and a belt clip – which oddly enough is only in the combo kit. MSRP $190.The MSRP for compact batteries is $70.

The 7 1/4-inch circular saw (BTE300K) has a 15-amp motor that delivers 5,600 RPM. It has a 10-foot cord weighs 9.5 pounds. The maximum bevel is 55 degrees and maximum depth-of-cut 2 3/8 inches at 90 degrees and 1 13/16 inches at 45 degrees. To put these capacities in perspective – they’re less than those of most DeWalt corded saws. But the price is lower too. The saw comes in a kit box with a blade, rip fence, and wrench. MSRP: $90

The Bostitch recip saw (BTE360K) cuts in straight and orbital settings, has a 1 1/8-inch stroke, and does 0-3,000 strokes per minute. The tool’s 8.5-amp motor puts it at the low end of the scale for a pro-grade corded recip saw (DeWalt’s entry-level recip saw has a 9-amp motor and it’s not unusual for recip saws to be rated at 12 or 13 amps). The Bostitch saw weighs 7.4 pounds and has a tool-less blade clamp and adjustable shoe. It comes in a kit box with one blade. MSRP: $90.

The jigsaw (BTE340K) has a 6-amp motor, orbital cutting action, and can go 0-3,200 strokes per minute with a 13/16-inch stroke. The cast aluminum shoe has a keyless lock and bevel detents at 0, 15, 30, and 45 degrees. The blade clamp is keyless and an LED light shines down from the housing to illuminate the work area. The saw comes in a kit box and includes a blade and non-marring shoe cover. MSRP: $80

The Bostitch hammer drill (BTE140K) has a 7-amp motor and 1/2-inch keyed chuck (for better bit retention). The two-speed gear box allows it to go 0-1,100 and 0-3,100 RPM in straight or hammer mode. In hammer mode it delivers up to 52,700 beats per minute. The drill weighs 5.1 pounds and comes in a kit box with chuck key, depth rod, and 360-degree side handle. MSRP: $80.

The 4 1/2-inch angle grinder (BTE820K) has a 7-amp motor and produces up to 11,000 RPM. It’s outfitted with a three-position side handle and a non-locking paddle switch that shuts off if the tool is dropped during use. There is a spindle lock for changing wheels and a tool-free guard for quick and easy adjustments. The tool comes in a kit box with cutting and grinding wheels, cutting and grinding guards, a side handle, and wrench. MSRP: $60

Finally – there is 3/8-inch 6.5-amp drill (BTE100K). It includes an all metal-locking chuck, an integral belt hook, and a lock-on button for the trigger. The drill weighs 3.2 pounds and goes 0-2,500 RPM. It comes in a kit box and has an MSRP of $50.

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At a recent media event Bostitch announced the launch of a new line of pro-grade power tools. I was among those present and was surprised (but not shocked) by SB&D's decision to add a fourth line of power tools to their current offerings - DeWalt, Porter-Cable, and Black & Decker. But the more I thought about it the more sense it made. There's a sizeable gap in price and performance between DeWalt and Porter-Cable. This new line of power tools seems intended to fill that gap by appealing to budget-conscious pros who want something better than Porter-Cable but may not need or be able to afford DeWalt.

Bostitch will offer a basic selection of corded and cordless models: an 18-volt drill/driver, 18-volt impact driver, 3/8-inch drill, 1/2-inch hammer-drill, 7 1/4-inch circular saw, recip saw, orbital jigsaw, and a 4 1/2-inch angle grinder. The cordless tools greatly resemble DeWalt's and will be available with compact (5 cell) lithium-ion batteries only. Despite the family resemblance, the batteries will not be compatible with other SB&D brands

The new line of tools is expected to hit the shelves in October – first at Walmart and then later at other stores. And they will be available online from Home Depot, Lowes, and Amazon. Click the photo on the left of this page for specs, photos, and pricing for all eight tools.